Perth-Waterloo Holstein Show draws thousands to Stratford

From left, associate judge Jenn Carlton, Tyler Canning with reserve grand champion Sweetview Avalanche Mitsou, and Michael Lupton with grand champion Upridge Alleyoop Freezie, alongside judge Brian Carscadden, at the Perth-Waterloo Holstein Show in Stratford. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The annual Perth-Waterloo Holstein Show drew thousands to Stratford’s Rotary Complex on Friday, with many calling it “one of the best-quality Holstein shows that Stratford has hosted in years.”

The show, hosted by the Perth-Waterloo Holstein Breeders along with the Stratford and District Agricultural Society, saw numbers climb well above last year, with more than 180 head shown before judge Brian Carscadden of Blondin Sires in Guelph.

Up until three years ago, the event was limited to breeders from Perth and Waterloo counties. Since opening the show to entries from other regions, it has grown into one of the premier county Holstein shows in Ontario.

The heifer classes were particularly strong with Canhope Holsteins of Palmerston taking junior champion honours with Canhope Major Blissful. Reserve junior champion went to Parallel Genetics of Mildmay with Fraeland Alpha Precious.

By night’s end, the Oxford County farm of Charlie and Joanne Lupton, located on Embro Road just south of Stratford, claimed both the grand and reserve grand championships. Their four-year-old cow, Upridge Alleyoop Freezie, was named grand champion, while their red aged cow, Sweetview Avalanche Mitsou, earned reserve grand champion.

Honourable mention went to Carldot Delta Lambda Lilah, a spring two-year-old shown by Carldot Holsteins of Larry Krantz, South Easthope Township.